Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (CNF) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) have been synthesized from camphor by catalytic thermal CVD method on Co and Co/Fe thin films (for CNF) and oil silicon substrates using a mixture of camphor and ferrocene (for MWCN). CNF and MWCN are Studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, visible Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction in order to get insight into the microstructure and morphology of these materials. Field electron emission study indicates turn-on field of about 2.56, 3.0 and 6.5 V/mu m for MWCN. Co/CNF and Co/Fe/CNF films, respectively. The best performance of MWCN in field electron emission among the materials Studied can be due to the highest aspect ratio, good graphitization and good density. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.